Ehizode: Canagerian for life, by Emeka Obasi

Welcome to Canada, the land where Nigeria’s first Commonwealth gold medal was achieved by Arinze Ifeajuna at Vancouver 1954. Daniel Igali won Olympic gold for the North Americans and also captained the team.

Joe Ehizode, like many Nigerians, has found home in Surrey, British Columbia. He was a sports journalist before relocating nearly three decades ago. Denying his roots is out of it. What has come to stay is a middle way out, with malice towards none.

He wrote : “I owe my undiluted allegiance to Canada first, and my country of birth Nigeria, second. But because Nigeria did not qualify for this World Cup, I found myself in a sea of match ups, swinging my support from one nation to another as the tournament progressed. It became a master class in modern identity.”

I did not find this strange at all. Ehizode was my colleague at Champion House, Lagos. He could claim Esan or Igbo identity. His town of origin, Ekpon, is a border town between Edo and Delta States. Founded by Ijie who migrated from Ekpoma, the people are making the best of two worlds without dropping their Esan background.

For now, what matters most is the Marple Leaf. And in defending Canada, Ehizode does not spare anyone who hurts his identity. When Mexico damaged South Africa, it was sweet music.

“I could not bring myself to backing a nation whose recent History has been married by the Xenophobic actions of goons targeting fellow Africans,” he posited. America received the same treatment before the game with Paraguay.

“I cannot in good conscience, support a country that habours political factions or rhetoric wanting to annex Canada. Absolutely not.” Donald Trump sure has got friends across the Northern border.

Many Nigerians living in the United States and Canada are sad that the Super Eagles missed qualification. Femi Solaja lives in Vancouver, with his family. He did not travel to jump like Ifeajuna, who was nicknamed ‘Emma Vancouver.’

“It is really sad, considering the number of Nigerians in those countries. I stand to be corrected, Nigeria has the  highest population of diaspora than other visiting teams to the World Cup. Nigeria got the vibes to make open watch party more entertaining.

“Just like in the stadium as well. Sadly, all those who put us in this mess, are plotting their way back, first with the CAF Awards, before the election,” Femi told me. His elder brother, Kunle, is covering his tenth World Cup.

Yemi Ojo lives in Baltimore, Maryland. As a Pastor, he prayed for the Eagles to land in America where they made their Mundial debut in 1994. There would have been an opportunity to send reports back home, like he did while active as a journalist.

“It is very sad. The Eagles would have performed well in this World Cup  See what Cabo Verde did to Argentina,” Ojo pointed out. It was also in the United States that Nigeria won Africa’s first Olympic soccer gold medal, in 1996.  

The Green Eagles were tipped to win a medal at the Montreal 1976 Games. Unfortunately, there was an African boycott because of apartheid South Africa. It is painful that the same blacks that received massive continental support have descended on their benefactors.

Canada has been good to Ehizode and other Nigerians. In 1957,  Onwura Zonyeuno (OZ) Chiazor, became the first African naval officer to be commissioned by Queen Elizabeth Ii. He was spotted by Dr. Dennis Osadebe who brought him home to join the Nigerian Navy.

A second batch of Nigerian Air force cadets was sent o to Canada for training in 1963. In that group were August Okpe, Gibson Nwosu, Elendu Ukeje, Dan Suleiman, Danjuma Ato, Winston Aleyideino, George Musa Jebak and Gbadamosi King.

From Cyprian Enweani to Rosey Ede, we have had Nigerians wearing Canadian colours in sports.  Natalie Achonwa, Nayo Raincock – Ekunwe and Yvonne Ejim, are know names in basketball. Soccer boasts of  Tani Oluwaseyi, Promise David, Fikayo Tomori and  Simi Awujo.

Ehizode remains a typical home boy. I have navigated the Ekpon, Ogwa, Ebelle, Opoji, Ewohimi, Igueben axis severally and know that Esan blood flows in their veins. When you see names like Emefiele, Chuks or Ijeoma Josephine Otabo, better known as Phyna of Big Brother Naija, remember they are rooted in Ekpon.

As the World Cup was going on, Ehizode sent me a quick message – The Desk Must Bubble. That was our tattoo at Ilasamaja. It simply means let us make merry. He wired choice wine and turkey, all wrapped in Canadian dollars back home.

A home boy in Surrey. Na so him be. “ I was born in Nigeria and that heritage is forever woven into my DNA. I have now spent half of my life in Canada. My family  is here. I live, work and earn a living here.

“Canada has given me a beautiful life. So, I am Canadian. My loyalty is to Canada first, and Nigeria second. I say this with absolute conviction and without apologies.” Bottom line: it is a win win draw. Mark the word, Canagerian.

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